Daniel William Johnson, 32, of the same address, was arrested and charged with murder. He is due at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Meanwhile detectives are appealing for information about a car believed to have been driven between Boldon Colliery and Kenton, in Newcastle, between 3.30am and 6.45am on Friday.

Officers want to trace the movements of the black Corsa, DG52 ZGK.

Det Chief Insp Steve Barron said: “The roads are likely to have been very quiet during the early hours of Friday morning and we would ask anyone who was out in these areas during that period to think back as to whether they may have seen this vehicle.

“We are also still appealing for anyone who saw Gemma during the 24-hour period before she died or who was in contact with her between Thursday and Friday.”

Gemma Finnigan

Locals said they were shocked buy the killing. One said: “I came back from work to find our back lane taped off. Not long after, CID were knocking on our door and asked if we had seen anything. She had a partner and they had not been living there long. I did not know much about them, I only saw them out and about now and again. But she seemed a nice girl.

And a 39-year-old mum said: “It was a complete shocker because nothing serious has ever happened here before.”